Estimating bathroom remodels
Prices for bathroom remodels, what drives the cost and how to structure the estimate, for remodeling contractors bidding the work.
Bathrooms are small rooms with a lot of trades. Plumbing, waterproofing, tile and fixtures all land in a few dozen square feet, so a missed line costs more here than almost anywhere. Price the finish level, then check every trade that touches the room.
No contract. No setup fees. Cancel anytime.
Bathroom remodel prices
Q4 2026 pricing. National figures are the median of 50 metro areas. Ranges are rounded to the nearest $50, or $100 from $5,000 up.
Economy
$7,800 to $11,600
30 to 80 square feet
Average
$19,600 to $26,600
30 to 80 square feet
Premium
$38,800 to $58,400
30 to 80 square feet
Labor and materials
For a typical job, nationally. Labor rates move more from place to place than materials do.
How the estimate is structured
The cost categories an estimate for this work breaks into:
- Project preparation
- General demolition
- Bathroom plumbing
- Electrical
- Wall coverings
- Ceiling coverings
- Interior doors
- Floor covering
- Interior painting and wallpaper
- Project finalization
- Vinyl windows
- Exterior trim
- Interior trim, stairs and accessories
- Cabinets and countertops
- Wall framing
- Wood windows
- Heating, ventilation, air conditioning
What drives the cost
Finish level
An economy bath can be a pedestal sink, an acrylic tub and shower unit and a basic toilet. A premium bath can mean a soaker tub plus a separate tiled shower, a double stone vanity and custom storage. Same room, very different bid.
Tile area and tile budget
Shower walls, floors and any wainscot add labor quickly, and tile prices vary widely. Pin down the selection or carry a tile allowance.
Moving fixtures
Keeping the toilet, tub and vanity where they are keeps the plumbing simple. Moving a drain or turning a tub into a walk-in shower means new rough-in, and sometimes floor framing.
Shower and tub type
A one-piece surround goes in quickly. A custom tiled shower needs a pan or waterproofing system, a glass door and more labor.
What's behind the walls
Rotted subfloor, old supply lines or a fan that vents into the attic show up after demo. Say in the proposal how you'll handle what you find.
Ventilation and electrical
Plan for GFCI protection and an exhaust fan as your code requires. Lighting, heated floors and outlets at the vanity add electrical scope.
Building the estimate
Price the room by trade
- Demolition, down to studs and subfloor or not
- Plumbing rough-in and fixtures: toilet, sink and faucet, tub or shower valve
- Tub, shower pan or surround, and the glass door
- Waterproofing and backer board
- Wall and floor tile
- Vanity, countertop, mirror or medicine cabinet, and storage
- Electrical: GFCI outlets, lighting and the exhaust fan
- Drywall, paint, the door and trim
Gut job or fixture swap
Decide early which one you're bidding. A full remodel guts the room to studs and subfloor and keeps the walls where they are. A fixture swap leaves the room standing and replaces what the client wants new. Mixing the two in one bid is where scope arguments start.
Carry allowances for selections
Tile, vanities and fixtures are where clients change their minds. Carry allowances for anything not yet chosen and show them in the proposal.
Bathroom templates in Clear Estimates
Templates cover full bathroom remodels at economy, average and premium finish, and single jobs: tub and whirlpool tub replacement, tub reglazing, shower surrounds, pans, valves and doors, ceramic wall tile at three budgets, toilets, sinks, faucets, medicine cabinets and exhaust fans. Bathroom additions are under Additions and ADUs.
Local pricing
Prices for bathroom remodels in each metro area, against the national median.
- New York, NYPrices run 19% above the national median.
- Chicago, ILPrices run 24% above the national median.
- Atlanta, GAPrices run 2% below the national median.
- Washington, DCPrices run 1% above the national median.
- Dallas, TXPrices run 9% below the national median.
- Boston, MAPrices run 17% above the national median.
- Minneapolis, MNPrices run 11% above the national median.
- Detroit, MIPrices run 4% above the national median.
- Seattle, WAPrices run 16% above the national median.
- Pittsburgh, PAPrices run 2% above the national median.
- Los Angeles, CAPrices run 9% above the national median.
- Philadelphia, PAPrices run 11% above the national median.
- Denver, COPrices run 2% below the national median.
- Baltimore, MDPrices run about the national median.
- Miami, FLPrices run 9% below the national median.
- Charlotte, NCPrices run 9% below the national median.
- St. Louis, MOPrices run 3% above the national median.
- Houston, TXPrices run 13% below the national median.
- San Francisco, CAPrices run 24% above the national median.
- Tampa, FLPrices run 13% below the national median.
- Phoenix, AZPrices run 3% below the national median.
- Orlando, FLPrices run 11% below the national median.
- Cincinnati, OHPrices run 4% below the national median.
- Cleveland, OHPrices run 3% below the national median.
- Kansas City, MOPrices run 2% above the national median.
- Columbus, OHPrices run 6% below the national median.
- Indianapolis, INPrices run 6% below the national median.
- Raleigh, NCPrices run 10% below the national median.
- Virginia Beach, VAPrices run 9% below the national median.
- Riverside, CAPrices run 5% above the national median.
- San Diego, CAPrices run 6% above the national median.
- Portland, ORPrices run 6% above the national median.
- San Jose, CAPrices run 21% above the national median.
- San Antonio, TXPrices run 15% below the national median.
- Grand Rapids, MIPrices run 5% below the national median.
- Jacksonville, FLPrices run 12% below the national median.
- New Orleans, LAPrices run 12% below the national median.
- Albany, NYPrices run 1% above the national median.
- Richmond, VAPrices run 9% below the national median.
- Las Vegas, NVPrices run 2% above the national median.
- Providence, RIPrices run 4% above the national median.
- Memphis, TNPrices run 11% below the national median.
- Rochester, NYPrices run 2% above the national median.
- Greenville, SCPrices run 10% below the national median.
- Bridgeport, CTPrices run 10% above the national median.
- Worcester, MAPrices run 10% above the national median.
- Syracuse, NYPrices run 1% below the national median.
- Sacramento, CAPrices run 8% above the national median.
- Nashville, TNPrices run 12% below the national median.
- Milwaukee, WIPrices run 4% above the national median.
Questions
What should a bathroom remodel estimate include?
Demolition, plumbing rough-in and fixtures, the tub or shower and its waterproofing, wall and floor tile, the vanity and countertop, electrical and the exhaust fan, and drywall, paint and trim. Give each its own line.
Does a bathroom estimate cover plumbing and electrical?
It should. Price supply and drain work, fixture hookups and valves, plus GFCI outlets, lighting and the exhaust fan, with labor priced for your area.
How do I handle different fixture grades?
Price the finish level the client is leaning toward, and show an alternate so they can see the difference. The remodel templates come in economy, average and premium.
Can I estimate a bathroom addition?
Yes. A new bathroom adds foundation or floor framing, walls and new rough-in to everything a remodel has. There are bathroom addition templates at average and premium finish, under Additions and ADUs.
Estimate bathroom remodels with prices for your area
No contract. No setup fees. Cancel anytime.